Brian Bailey: The Blogging ChurchThis one is opening my eyes up in a big way. A year ago I advised our clients against blogging - now I see it as an incredible opportunity. This book opens up the possibilities and helps you know how to get it done. (*****)

Become a Fan

May 2010

May 12, 2010

Tomorrow I'm speaking to the mens group at my church. They meet faithfully every Thursday morning - 6:30AM - at the Perkins near our church. My topic is "How I've seen God at work in the past seven years through Fishhook." (No shortage of content for this 30 minute talk).

Tonight I spent some time organizing my thoughts into an outline, attempting to sift through dozens and dozens of memories to find the lessons God has taught me and ways He's showered His love on my family. One of the truths of Christ that flooded back to me is what Bible calls "the mystery of Christ." What I was stuck by is how the business of the Church (or at least Fishhook working with congregations) can, at times takes center stage over the mystery of Christ and the way God works behind the scenes. Preparing for my talk, I came across Colossians 4:2-6

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

As I read this, I'm reminded of some attitudes I seemed to cultivate more often a few years ago as Fishhook first launched. Returning to these attitudes, I need to worry a little less about the balance sheet and company efficiency. Instead I should...

Pray, watch and be thankful

Watch for God to open doors

Remember that faith in Christ is a mystery and the way God works behind the scenes in our lives is a mystery and I need to look for the mysterious moments when God may have an agenda that's different from mine...be ready to change my plans to move with God.

Move wisely and make the most of the moment.

Be devoted toward this, not tolerant or just compliant...be devoted.

Sometimes, my focus is so busy, busy...and my eyes are closed to how God is at work. I'm hoping that these refreshed thoughts I have tonight will carry over and not get lost in the busyness...tomorrow.

May 05, 2010

The Short Story: heard a great sermon this weekend. Rev. Chris Chase from Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in San Diego taught on Church Branding. His lesson

In Revelation we learn that there will be those who will be marked/sealed as belonging to God -eternal.

Jesus teaches us to "love one another" as a sign to the - world.

The local church needs to identify itself uniquely in it's community - local - and Good Sam is in that process.

The Longer Story: This past weekend I traveled to San Diego to lead a branding discovery session with church leaders from Good Samaritan Episcopal Church - or "Good Sam" as they are know to friends and family. Good Sam is a beautiful place filled with people who are easy to be around. They describe the worship service as a "lighter and relaxed interpretation and presentation of the Episcopal tradition." It was that. Liturgy, robes, communion and an altar girl wearing orange canvas shoes. They are warm and welcoming bunch and they quietly pour themselves into the lives of each other andhurting people - locally and beyond. Over and over they described their experience at Good Sam as one of "healing." One member of the discovery team, Julia, a bright young woman in her Junior year in high school, described Good Sam as "Mrs. Weasley's house from the Harry Potter series." She said, "it's a little clunky, and the people are sorta quirky, but it's a place you can totally just come be yourself." Every head around the table nodded in agreement.

This was an interesting day because, in addition to attending worship services and leading the discovery session, I was also invited to teach a Sunday school class, Church Branding: What Story are we Telling? Communication Director Leanne Shawler invited me to lead this session, helping the congregation toward better understanding and fostering discussion on the topic. Often, the work of church branding is done behind the scenes and then revealed to the congregation. At Good Sam, it's a collective experience. While a team will lead the effort its the congregation is well aware of what's underway. Not only was there a class on church branding, but Rector Chris Chase's message presented a fascinating perspective as well. The entire branding team and process was lifted up for prayer.

Chris outlined three distinct and powerful perspectives on church branding - eternal, worldly and local. The highlights:

In Revelation we learn that there will be those who will be marked/sealed as belonging to God - eternal.

Jesus teaches us to "love one another" as a sign to the - world.

The local church needs to identify itself uniquely in it's community - local - and Good Sam is in that process.